Pecatonica State Trail:
Wisconsin
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
Take the Pecatonica State Trail from Belmont to Calamine and you'll travel through some early Wisconsin history. Old Belmont was Wisconsin's capital when it was still a territory. You can visit the First Capitol Historic Site, which includes the two-story white clapboard capitol and adjacent Supreme Court buildings, a few miles northwest of town.
The 10-mile paved rail-trail follows a branch of the old Milwaukee Road railroad corridor that once hauled lead through this valley. The trail twists and turns as it follows the sluggish waters and crooked banks of the Bonner Branch of the Pecatonica River. Take along your fishing pole and drop a line from one of the numerous bridges over the river, and you might just catch some sunfish for your dinner.
There is parking in Belmont at Bond Park, which has a sheltered picnic area, softball diamond, playground, and sand volleyball court. Moving east toward Calamine the trail passes rolling farmland and tall grasses. Oak and hickory trees shade your way along many parts of the path.
As you take in the beauty of this trail, keep your eyes open for the birds you may be lucky enough to encounter: Sand hill cranes, red wing blackbirds, red-necked grebes, great blue herons and bobolinks.
Near Calamine, at the end of the Pecatonica State Trail, the trail intersects with the 47-mile Cheese Country Recreation Trail. Both trails require purchase of a state trail pass, which can be obtained at the trailhead or from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web site.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
The western trailhead is located on East Platteville Avenue (Hwy. G) and South Park Street in Belmont. Parking is available at Bond Park. The eastern trailhead is located at the junction of the Pecatonica and the Cheese Country trails. From Calamine go west on County Hwy. G, just after passing County Road C, turn left and head south for about a half a mile to an unpaved parking lot.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Nice trail, but too many machines
By swell in June, 2010
If it weren't for the ATV's and dirt bikes tearing around, this would be a frequent stop for our family. No peace, no quiet, and arrogant "motorized recreation" people in a hurry to race to the Cheese County trail. Forget it unless you ride something that belches fumes.
Browse Trails by Activity: